1. Navigational instrument for finding directions
   "The hikers used a compass to orient themselves in the forest"
    
2. Drafting instrument used for drawing circles
   "The architect used a compass to draw perfect circles on the blueprint"
    
3. An area in which something acts or operates or has power or control:
   "within the compass of this article";
   - scope, range, reach, orbit, ambit
    
4. The limit of capability
   "within the compass of education";
   - range, reach, grasp

1. Travel around, either by plane or ship
   "We compassed the earth";
   - circumnavigate
    
2. Get the meaning of something
   "The students struggled to compass the complex theory";
   - grok [N. Amer, informal], get the picture [informal], comprehend, savvy, dig [informal], grasp, apprehend
    
3. [archaic] Bring about; accomplish
   "This writer attempts more than his talents can compass"

Derived forms: compassing, compasses, compassed

Type of: accomplish, achieve, attain, capability, capableness, circle, drafting instrument, extent, navigational instrument, potentiality, reach, understand

Encyclopedia: Compass, The